Oilers, Bowman have ‘had really good conversations’ about McDavid extension
Things seem to be heading in the right direction for the best in the West in locking up their superstar.
Edmonton Oilers’ general manager Stan Bowman made an appearance on Tuesday’s edition of OilersNow and was asked about how talks have gone with agent Judd Moldaver regarding a contract extension with his client, Connor McDavid.
Bowman admitted that the early talks have been positive.
“I’ve had really good conversations with Judd since the season ended,” Bowman said. “I’ve tried to give Connor his space, and I think that it’s important. … A lot of this is respecting the athlete and their timeline. So, we haven’t had any of those types of detailed discussions yet, but we certainly will, and I think we’re very encouraged by all the conversations I’ve had to date.”
While many have hoped that a new deal for the Oilers captain would be easy, especially since the team has gone to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last two seasons, Bowman had previously stated the team would be willing to give McDavid space, only coming to the table when the player is ready to do so.
As of July 1, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native is eligible for another contract extension. His current deal, an eight-year contract with an AAV of $12.5 million, is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season. If No. 97 were to make it to the summer, he could become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
McDavid has been blunt about his desire to bring a championship to Edmonton, but recognizes that he has to be wary of his personal life as well.
“We’re all in this together,” McDavid said during locker cleanout day last month. “Trying to get it over that finish line. But with that being said, I still need to do what’s best for me and my family and that’s who you have to take care of first. But of course, there’s unfinished business here.”
McDavid’s value to the Oilers cannot be overstated. He, along with the help of Leon Draisaitl, has helped turn the team from being a laughingstock to contenders. McDavid himself has been the game’s best player for most of his career. Along with scoring 100 points in all but two seasons of his 10-year tenure in Edmonton, he has won the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Hart Trophy thrice and is a four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, not to mention the fact that he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024, despite the Oilers losing in seven games to the Florida Panthers.
Nevertheless, many will be keeping an eye on what’s happening with the Oilers, both on and off the ice, for the next few months to see what the future holds for the team and its biggest star.